Oleson wins Linn County Treasurer race

Former Linn County Supervisor and current county employee Brent Oleson will be the next Linn County treasurer.

Oleson, 52, a Democrat, is the current county deputy director of public policy and community relations. He received 41,127 votes against Republican Paul Talley’s 36,413 votes.

All results are unofficial until the Board of Supervisors canvasses the results next Tuesday.

“I’m blessed to have been given the chance to continue to serve the people of Linn County in public office. As a supervisor and as member of the board of conservation and now as treasurer, it's been a privilege and I look forward to serving them to the best of my abilities,” he said.

The Linn County Treasurer administers finances, banking services, cash management and investments for the county. The office also receives all money payable to the county and acts as the central depository for all county offices and departments.

The department has a staff of 33 and four deputies. The treasurer’s job currently pays $119,198 a year.

He has a law degree from the University of Iowa and also serves on the Linn County Conservation Board.

Oleson, formerly a Republican, announced in August 2020 he would not seek re-election as a supervisor.

Current treasurer, Sharon Gonzalez, 61, is retiring when her term ends this year. She has been county treasurer since 2010 and a county employee since 1979.

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